procreation

noun

as in breeding

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of procreation For those not familiar with the term, anti-natalism is a philosophical stance that views life as unacceptably full of suffering and procreation as a morally indefensible thing. — Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 6 July 2026 Sex makes its way into the story, first, from the mother’s perspective, as something to be avoided, and then as something that has to lead to procreation—and soon. — Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 31 May 2026 Your book The Novel and the Problem of New Life traces the novel’s ambivalence or even hostility to procreation, but also toward artistic reproduction. — Aaron Matz, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026 Protagonists weigh the emotional and logistical pros, cons, and costs of procreation under less than ideal conditions. — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 2026 Trump drops f-bombs, and others are following suit Some lawmakers are worried because the most offensive language about procreation and defecation has emerged from the shadows and into everyday discourse. — Bart Jansen, USA Today, 22 Feb. 2026 Running gags include Moses’ age, certain players’ penchant for forgetfulness and star receiver Stefon Diggs’ proclivity for procreation. — Michael Silver, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026 Every human culture known to science has some form of dance – remarkable for something that, on face value, does not satisfy any basic need for sustenance or procreation. — Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2026 While their numbers grew, eventually reaching as many as 4,000 (despite their views on procreation), the Shakers found no shortage of detractors in revolutionary America. — Mike Miller, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for procreation
  1. breeding
  2. spawning
Noun
  • Ecological mitigation Alongside the fishway, a breeding program at the plant has released nearly 2 million fish into the wild to stabilize populations, which officials report remain steady.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Meghan personally called animal rights attorney Shannon Keith, who runs the Beagle Freedom Project, after hearing about 4,000 beagles being rescued from overcrowded and unsanitary conditions at the Envigo breeding and research plant in Virginia.
    — Audrey Schmidt, PEOPLE, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of breeding
Noun
  • Chesapeake Bay tributaries are important spawning areas, producing between 70% and 90% of the coastwide population of striped bass.
    — Ken Perrotte, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Thankfully, the flick was a huge hit, thanks to Tobey Maguire's excellent performance, Raimi's genius for vertiginous action, and Willem Dafoe's meme-spawning performance as Norman Osborn, the Green Goblin.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 29 July 2026
Definition of spawning

Browse Nearby Words

procreating
procreation
procurable
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Cite this Entry

“Procreation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/procreation. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on procreation

Nglish: Translation of procreation for Spanish Speakers

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